Literary lunch star revealed

Published:10:20Tuesday 14 March 2017

War correspondent and author Martin Bell is lined up as the first speaker for the revived Yorkshire Post Literary Lunch.

The lunch, run with Harrogate International Festivals, on April 25 at noon will be at Harrogate’s Cairn Hotel where, as well as enjoying a two-course entertaining lunch and the chance to hear from one of the country’s best known TV reporters, audiences will be able to buy pre-released signed copies of his new book - War and The Death of News: Reflections of a Grade B Reporter.

The compelling account, on general release in June, mixes autobiography, reportage and a ‘state of the nation’ survey of wartime reporting.

Martin Bell has been under fire in conflicts from Belfast to Nigeria and El Salvador, and kept the company of soldiers, warlords, mercenaries and militias. He also spent four years in the House of Commons.

James Mitchinson, editor of The Yorkshire Post, added: “I was dismayed to discover upon taking The Yorkshire Post editorship that such a fondly-held Yorkshire tradition had withered on the vine prior to my arrival. I was convinced that we should reinvigorate the literary luncheons and having tentatively done so in 2016 the feedback and praise that I received on the day for its revival underscored to me that they must be put back on the calendar for good.”

To book see www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or call the box office on 01423 562 303. Tickets, £35, includes wine, two-course lunch, plus tea or coffee.